[5 years before the Brevon Incident]
"Eleven weeks in, and she's on course to fail basic training. And not by a small margin. Not to mention she's so timid and withdrawn. She's not managed to make even a single friend yet."
"I know. I had hoped for better results."
"It's not your fault. I'd have made the same decision you did."
"And the last thing I want to do is turn her away."
"But what else can we do? If she fails basic, what place does she have here?"
"We'll have to find some sort of place for her. There's no way we can let her go back to her old life."
With a weary sigh, the civet leans back on the sofa. "Come on Aziza, I know you're holding something back from me."
"I'm sorry Lillith, it's just…"
"Just what?"
"We promised Maria we wouldn't tell anyone what happened to her," Aziza reveals.
"We?"
"Me, Lexi, and Hanna Skarlett."
"Wait… did you say Hanna Skarlett?"
"Would you believe it was her idea to save Maria? Not that she'd ever admit it."
"I'll admit, it's a fantastic story."
"Well, it's true: under that vicious and fiery exterior beats a surprisingly caring heart."
"Then I have to admire how she hides it so well," Lillith chuckles. "Hmm…" she adds a moment later.
"Hm?"
"I have an idea."
Aziza makes to ask what Lillith's idea is, pausing as a thought strikes her. "If we're both thinking the same thing…"
"I'll admit it's a bit mean, but if it gets results-"
"-it'll be worth it," Aziza agrees. "Do it."
An hour later, Hanna Skarlett arrives at the entrance to Lillith's sanctum. Just as she's about to knock, she hears voices within.
"Looks like we have no choice," one voice sighs.
"Agreed. If Maria doesn't shape up quick, she's out," the second decides.
"I hate to say it, but you're right," the first agrees. "There's nothing else we can do."
Hanna has heard enough: boiling with anger, she kicks the door open. "How can you even think about kicking Maria out?" she yells at the two leaders. "Especially you!" she directs at Aziza.
"Thank you for volunteering to be Maria's mentor," Aziza smiles.
"You have seven days to help her pass basic," Lillith adds, also smiling. "Succeed, and I'll forget you just kicked my door down."
Hanna blinks in surprise. "…I walked right into that one, didn't I?" she sighs in resignation.
"Just a bit," Aziza agrees.
"Fine, I'll do it," Hanna grumbles. "Of course, you could have just asked…" she growls as she leaves the room.
Lillith and Aziza wait until they're sure Hanna is out of earshot. "Told you she has a heart," Aziza smirks.
"It was worth having my door broken to see that," Lillith agrees.